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Topic: How to stop killing bees. (Read 4683 times)

I have fought this problem all year. Every time I open up a hive to inspect, I kill bees during reassembly. I'm talking even putting the frames back in. When I replace the framec I insert them in the opening then slide them over. I use a small stick like a toung depresser to try to chase the bees from between the end bars but that doesn't always work. Bees get crushed when I replace the hive bodies. I move slow try yo give them time but always kill a few. Is there some techniques I could learn to prevent this? I have tried the bee brush, extra smoke and nothing seems to really work. The brush makes things worse. Lots of extra smoke can make them all hang out of the hive for a while. I did search for the answer before I posted.

Do you wear gloves? Try to give them up if possible. When removing frames do you start at one side, removing an outside one and placing it aside until after inspection? That will give you room to move things around, you could even remove both outside frames, which allows "plenty" of room.

Extra smoke will just tick them off. Less is always better than more. If you are calm your bees s/b calm also, unless there is some other factor.

I wouldn't try to move bees around w/ a stick, your bare (or gloved) fingers used gently will move them around just fine. It takes some practice but well worth it for you and your bees.

That all said; we all kill bees from time to time, some a 'lot' more than others :( Whenever anyone asks me "what's killing the bees" I can only respond w/; we are killing them.

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"Trust those who seek the truth, doubt those who say they've found it."

Really great responses from all. Thanks. I will try to slow down some more. I really hate the crunching noise that says I just mashed a few of my charges. The grass for a brush is something I hadn't thought of as well as the placing the hive bodies at an angle then rotating them in. My bees are pretty calm. I have tried different amounts of smoke and have found that less is more. For a brush I once saw a video from the German IWF institute that showed a woman using a white duck or goose wing. Looked like the feathers didn't upset the bees near as much as my artificial one. I use the blue nitrile gloves with cotton liners to soak up sweat. I have gone without them and can do so again.Again thanks I really appreciate the help.

When harvesting honey I use a long turkey feather to remove bees from the frames before placing them in a honey super. Never been stung once using a feather this way, but I'm not agreesive, just use gentle strokes.

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"Trust those who seek the truth, doubt those who say they've found it."

I like T Beeks open feeding this time of year. X:X Most all of that feed is going to go to your own bees when the temps are in the 50F (10C) range. I don’t believe bees are going to fly 3 miles in November to steal some open feed in our cool temps. No yellow jackets this time of year. I figure open feeding them during a warm spell (like today) is just a little extra insurance for winter.

If the situation ever gets a bit frantic, and a bit like herding cats - then a quick squirt with a fine mist spray (plain water) always ensures that they get their heads down.

LJ[/quote]I had to laugh that is exactly what it feels like when they get all stirred up. I chase them away but they come back in even larger numbers. Frustrating to say the least. Gets even worse if one gets crushed as you replace a frame. Just plane water. Will add that to the list. Thanks Lj